“Programs win championships,” McCarthy began, referring back to his thought process as a first-year coach in 2006. “I never thought to sell the farm and be a one-year wonder.”

But after elaborating on his response, it’s clear McCarthy and the Packers have discussed comments from last winter’s playoff run where quarterback Aaron Rodgers put the pressure on management to get him players that can win.

“We’ve just got to make sure we’re going all-in every year to win,” Rodgers said after an NFC Championship Game loss to the Atlanta Falcons. “And I think we can take a big step this offseason.”

A lot has been made in recent years about 33-year-old Rodgers and his perceived “window” closing — a reference to the number of years he might remain in elite playing shape. If Rodgers’ pleas were answered, it wouldn’t be the first time a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback got his team to help him win another Super Bowl.

In Peyton Manning’s final season in 2015, the Denver Broncos made a number of free agency moves, highlighted by cornerback Aqib talib and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware. That was enough to send him out on top in his 17th NFL season.

Adding to the intrigue was a recent admission by Rodgers that he was entering the “back nine” of his career.

Fast forward to July 26, 2017 in front of reporters in the media auditorium at Lambeau Field, McCarthy seemed unwilling to give in to hints that Rodgers wants more weapons at the expense of prospects.

“Those eight [consecutive years of] playoff victories are a clear reflection of our championship-level program…But my focus is on continuing to grow that.”

“We’ve always focused on the program. We’ve never sold out to win one game.”

MADISON, Wis. — With the Milwaukee Bucks and free agent point guard Derrick Rose reportedly having mutual interest in a free agency signing, the boys of The Neighborhood were at odds. Nelson said he didn’t mind bringing on Rose if it meant unloading some cap space, while Eric found reasons to keep Rose off the team no matter the cost.

5:23 | Nelson isn’t having any of Eric’s comparison to Malcolm Brogdon
8:30 | Eric keeps bringing up the 2013 rape allegations
10:07 | Nelson thinks Rose could be a great player for the Bucks
11:13 | Nelson challenges Eric to name a better option than Rose
12:43 | The poll results are unveiled

MADISON, Wis. — I’ve started research for my next in-depth report and I wanted to take this opportunity to let our listeners/readers know where I’m at in the process. I’ll try to do these somewhat regularly as a way to inform the public, but also allow feedback on parts I may be getting wrong or new directions to consider.

Summary of information gathered so far: In speaking with Terry Gawlik, it appears very unlikely Wisconsin will ever revive its baseball program unless there is a substantial surplus of revenue. Operating costs have run at or very near revenue generated in each fiscal budget report for at least the last 10 years. Barry Alvarez also appears to have no willingness to bring baseball back to Wisconsin at this time.

Feigin discussed the process the Bucks used to submit proposals to host a future All Star Game, which will be either in the 2020-2021 season or the 2021-2022 season. That process, he explained, involved a shared interest with the NBA to bring an All Star Game to Milwaukee.

“It’s a matter of when,” Feigin began. “…Part of our campaign and what we’ve said to the NBA is ‘We’re all in this together. This is a huge message for a small-market team to have [the All Star Game] on an international stage.'”

“My expectation is if we didn’t get it for 2021, some team that was maybe a little more deserving might get it, but there’s no way we’re not going to get it in the near future, which is important to us.”

Feigin also announced a timeline for naming the D-League team being established in Oshkosh, which broke ground on arena construction early last week.

While a team name is set to be announced in the “next couple weeks,” the Bucks have made it a priority that they’d like the name to be taken seriously, thus, names like the “Deer Ticks” and “B’Goshs” are not being considered. Feigin said at least one of the names up for discussion was submitted by a fan, but he didn’t provide any other hints.

MADISON, Wis. – A sort of “tradition” in sports medicine revolves around treating athletes with painkillers that can have damaging long-term effects, while also leading to the possibility of addiction.

But what happens when one of the most useful alternatives to opioid painkillers is illegal?

Cannabidiol, a non-toxic extract of marijuana also referred to as CBD or cannabis oil, has shown the ability to reduce seizures in young children, and has been heralded by several marijuana-friendly states as an agent that can cure myriad conditions, including chronic pain. However, the United States Federal Government in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration have deemed CBD oil an illegal substance.

Cannabidiol is considered a Schedule One drug (along with marijuana), which carries three factors: the substance has a high potential for abuse; the substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment; and it’s considered unsafe even under medical supervision. For researchers and scientists, the problem is that cannabidiol has shown such promise in the medical field that they’d like to study its effectiveness in other areas, but because it’s illegal to purchase in certain states (including Wisconsin), they are unable to fund studies on human subjects.

The Wisconsin State Assembly took a step towards easing that process earlier this month by passing a bill by a unanimous 98-0 vote that would allow legal possession of CBD oil for medical purposes. It does not, however, cover the legal transport of the substance, which must come from out of state due to a lack of legal dispensaries in Wisconsin. Governor Scott Walker has yet to sign the bill into law but has said he supports the measure.
What could this mean for athletes?

Problem With Painkillers
Painkillers such as Vicodin and Percocet have been used in athletic training rooms for decades. As some team trainers and doctors will admit, the process for an athlete to obtain those opioids has sometimes been effortless. It wasn’t until recent years that players and doctors have spoken out about the downsides to pain management. Some of the repercussions of using the drugs include vomiting, confusion, and addiction.

In 2014, almost 2 million Americans abused or were dependent on prescription opioids, while over 1,000 people every day are treated for misusing those prescriptions[1]. Former Green Bay PackersquarterbackBrett Favre outlined his struggles with Vicodin during a 2016 interview with Graham Bensinger.

“I don’t remember how the dynamics of [the addiction process] worked, but let’s say two [pills] gave me an effect I liked. After a month, two didn’t do anything, so you needed three and…then four and then so on.

“A month’s prescription was 30 pills or something, depending on what they prescribed for you. I was going through that in two days. So I was having to hustle [my teammates] – I’d ask this guy for pills and that guy for pills. I was going back around pretty quickly.”

The process by which Americans are prescribing these painkillers is part of the problem. In 2012, health care providers wrote out 259 million prescriptions for opioids, which is enough for every person living in the United States to have their own bottle. Americans are overdosing on painkillers at a rate of 46 people per day[2].

The Chronic Crusade
In an age where the legalization of marijuana has been a topic of debate for decades, more and more people are turning to the drug and derivatives like cannabidiol to treat their pain. While the spectrum of knowledge about CBD oil is very narrow at this point in time, researchers have found benefits for those suffering from seizures, certain cancers, and even bone fractures.
According to the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research[3], those who used CBD oil saw a faster recovery from bone fractures, which also healed stronger and were more resistant to future fractures.

But there are some downsides to cannabidiol.

While it can treat a variety of medical conditions, high concentrations of CBD oil may interfere with other medications the patient may be taking[4]. This happens when the oil interferes with the liver enzymes, making it difficult to break down other substances in the body. It’s also possible that the patient is unaffected by cannabidiol.

With the Wisconsin State Assembly passing the measure to legalize possession of CBD oil for medical use, a signature by Governor Scott Walker would turn that bill into law. Walker is in favor of the bill but said during a stop in Green Bay in early January that he’s not open to legalizing marijuana.

“I’m not interested in opening the door towards legalizing marijuana, be it overall or even for medical marijuana, because I think studies show medically there are much more viable alternatives.”

The State of Minnesota has legalized marijuana products on a medical basis, but it’s a lengthy process to obtain the drugs, ensuring fewer opportunities for abuse of the system. The first step to obtain medical marijuana or cannabis oil is to be prescribed at a clinic with one or more of the following conditions:

Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including
those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis

Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease

Terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less
than one year

Intractable pain

After diagnosis, the patient must visit a medical marijuana clinic to get entered into a database and wait for government approval. Once approved, the patient pays a $200 registration fee with the US Department of Health and is given an identification card. That card is then used for obtaining their prescription.

Upon receiving the identification card, Minnesota residents may then visit one of the three dispensaries in the state to obtain their 30-day prescription. For cannabis oil, the prescription generally comes in three forms: tablet, oil drops, or for use in a vaporizer pen.

It’s unclear when Governor Walker may sign that bill into law, but State Representative Melissa Sargent has authored several bills to pass full legalization in Wisconsin and predicts marijuana will soon be fully legalized.

“I believe that marijuana will be fully legalized in the state of Wisconsin in the next 10 years…It’s going to take a community of us. I’ve been working on this for almost four years and I’m only getting more and more passionate about it. As time goes by, I have more and more allies in my court.”

GREEN BAY, Wis. — I’ll begin by admitting I’m not an expert on the salary cap, and I don’t have a direct line to Ted Thompson’s office. But with about $42 million in cap space heading into the offseason, here are some of the options the Green Bay Packers are faced with, along with my predictions of how they’ll handle them. My predictions are only for those positions in which Green Bay also has options in free agency.

Center

Incumbent:J.C. Tretter has just finished up his four-year, $2.6 million contract and is an unrestricted free agent. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the 13th-best center in the league based on this past season’s performance, despite missing the last half of the season with a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL). That’s nothing new for the Cornell product, but it’ll cost him when it comes to contract negotiations.

Prediction: With Corey Linsley as the only other experienced center on the roster and Tretter the best available, he’ll likely come back on a one-year contract.

Guard

Incumbents:T.J. Lang ranked as the No. 6 right guard in the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus, and has expressed his willingness to return to Green Bay at age 30. Don Barclay suffered a shoulder injury in November and was replaced by rookie Jason Spriggs, who showed promise for the future protection of the Green Bay backfield.

Prediction: I see this as a position the Packers only address in the draft, so the only move here is to re-sign Lang to a multi-year deal, while potentially cutting Barclay loose. With the promise of Spriggs and the frugal nature of Thompson, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Barclay released.

Tight End

Incumbent:Jared Cook came over from the St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams on a one-year, $2.75 million contract, and despite missing six games with a high ankle sprain, he performed admirably and became a keystone to their success entering the postseason. He averaged 55 yards and four catches per game over the last 10 games (including playoffs).

Prediction: After earning a Super Bowl ring with New England and making it clear he wants to get paid, Packer fans dreaming of a Bennett-to-Green-Bay scenario can forget about it. At 29 years old, Cook is productive enough to warrant a two-year deal to remain in Titletown.

Running Back

Incumbents: Neither Eddie Lacy, nor Christine Michael were dominant forces in the backfield for the Packers, but because of that, Green Bay can cash in when it comes to negotiations. Lacy logged just 360 yards and no touchdowns before an ankle injury sidelined him for the season. Michael was seldom-used, logging 114 yards on 31 carries in Green Bay.

Prediction: Thompson doesn’t like to go with what he doesn’t know, so I don’t see him contacting any of the above options (Bell will re-sign with the Steelers anyway). It’s already being reported that Lacy is likely coming back on a one-year deal worth about $2 million. And with Ty Montgomery looking like a more sure bet, Michael will try to find work elsewhere.

Prediction: While it’s been a nice ride for 37-year-old Peppers, he’ll likely hit the free market and end his career with his first team | the Carolina Panthers. After finally seeing one of “his guys” break out, Thompson will re-sign Perry to a three-year contract and probably overpay. Don’t be surprised if the Packers tease us with a nibble in free agency on an OLB.

Safety

Incumbent: It was a career year for Micah Hyde, matching his personal-best three interception mark on the season. That’s despite making a switch to slot cornerback due to injuries in the Green Bay secondary.

Prediction: Hyde had a relatively team-friendly contract of four years, $2.3 million, and after earning the performance-based escalator last season, I don’t see why that changes. He’ll earn a three-year deal with the Pack. Plot twist: Thompson nabs one of the above options at safety, but it’ll be a player we know little about.

While cornerback was largely ignored in this post due to the fact that Green Bay doesn’t have any on expiring contract, I’d expect that to be the area where the Packers find a piece in free agency. The best players available are A.J. Bouye (Houston Texans), Trumaine Johnson (Los Angeles Rams), Stephon Gilmore (Buffalo Bills), Morris Claiborne (Dallas Cowboys), and Captain Munnerlyn (Minnesota Vikings).

MADISON, Wis — In March of 2014, sports attorney Jeffrey Kessler filed an antitrust claim against the NCAA arguing that their current model of limiting compensation for student athletes at the cost of a scholarship is against the law.

The point of this lawsuit is not to provide an alternative for the NCAA or to receive damages, but to end its practice of unfair labor and allow players to be offered more. That opens up the door for the NCAA and the Division I football and basketball programs to decide how they want to compensate the players, but because Kessler isn’t seeking damages, the NCAA will likely have to face the lawsuit head-on.

University of Wisconsin athletes Nigel Hayes and Alec James are named as plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit and hope to bring change to the NCAA model. Sports attorney Jeff Katz of Patterson Law Firm in Chicago is one of a handful of subjects in the report to predict a bleak forecast for the outcome of Kessler’s litigation. Hear from Kessler, Katz, and former Wisconsin athletes Matt Bernstein, Reggie Torian, and Brandon Williams by clicking the link to the audio below.

The Milwaukee Bucks signed Giannis Antetokounmpo to a four-year, $100 million contract extension on Tuesday afternoon, locking up a key member of the franchise through the 2020-21 season. Antetokounmpo’s deal puts the Bucks in a great position because the Greek Freak took about $6 million less than a max contract to give Milwaukee room to operate when it comes to future roster moves.

But will Antetokounmpo be rewarded for his generosity or will the Bucks take advantage when it comes to his next deal?

Antetokounmpo has been one of the most vocal supporters of the city of Milwaukee and didn’t ask for an additional fifth year on the contract due to the potential of a fluctuating salary cap after the 2017 collective bargaining agreement is reached. A fifth year could have bound Milwaukee into a bad financial situation should the salary cap drop below the Bucks’ expectations. The deal also includes to player option for that fourth year, keeping Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee for the full length of the deal.

There are some instances of instability in the Bucks’ organization, however, that should keep Antetokounmpo’s head on a swivel.

Last season, the Bucks went a disappointing 33-49 and missed the postseason even after adding free agent gem Greg Monroe. It took until after the All-Star break for head coach Jason Kidd to move Antetokounmpo to point guard, which provided almost instant success for the 21-year-old phenom. Antetokounmpo finished with an average of 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. He also became the youngest Bucks player to record a triple double, logging 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a Feb. 22 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

There was also the security breach from this past May, in which several Milwaukee Bucks players had their financial information stolen, including social security numbers, addresses, compensation, and more. An email scam compromised their security, which is cause for concern when thinking long term about what that means for Antetokounmpo.

I’m not saying the Bucks have it out for Antetokounmpo or any other player, but let’s hope the young Greece native isn’t naïve to some of the corruption that happens in major and professional sports in the United States. If Milwaukee wants to have future chances at greatness and win a championship for the first time since 1971, they’ll make good on their debt of gratitude to Antetokounmpo and lead him to the top of the NBA mountain.

Many were willing to write off the Packers’ week one offensive struggles as a fluke, getting past an improving Jaguars team on the road. Upon closer inspection though, some of the things that plagued Green Bay’s offense in a disappointing 2015 season have carried over to 2016.

The return of receiver Jordy Nelson looked like it would be a cure-all for what ailed Green Bay in 2015, but the numbers for Aaron Rodgers have actually gotten worse. His completion percentage went from 60.7 to 57.1 and the yardage per game has dropped from 218.9 to 189.5. While not significant differences, an indication of Rodgers’ inconsistencies can be summed up by his passer rating. Based on a maximum score of 158.3, Rodgers has now gone 14 straight games without eclipsing the 100-point mark, dating to last season. His previous longest streak was four games (three times).

But not all of the offensive woes can be pointed at Rodgers. After management decided to release three-time Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton, the offensive line hasn’t been able to keep Rodgers upright. He’s been sacked six times this season, tied with the Browns for the fourth-most in the NFL. The inability to convert talent on the field into yardage and points is highlighted when comparing against other NFL teams. Green Bay ranks 28th in total yardage and 30th in total passing yardage.

Whether it’s a rift in the locker room or something happening in their personal lives, the Packers can’t seem to get clicking on offense. If they can’t figure out their issues, fans will look back on this era as a waste of great talent. During the Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers era, Green Bay has just two Super Bowl rings to show for it.